Get the latest Quilt Expo news from Sewing With Nancy's® Nancy Zieman and keep up-to-date on event presentations, workshops, celebrity guests, special quilt exhibits and more.

Tuesday, September 12, 2006

Special Saturday Stage Activities

At noon on Saturday, I’ll be joined on stage by Madison Postmaster Robert Cavinder and Wisconsin Public Television Director of Television James Steinbach for an unveiling of a new U.S. Postal Stamp series. The stamp series features ten quilts created between circa 1940 and 2001 by African-American women in Gee's Bend, Ala.

Immediately following at 12:15 p.m. you won’t want to miss the Quilt Bowl. I’ll be commentating as male serging duos from Wisconsin Public Television compete against celebrity quilters to complete a fleece blanket worthy of donation to the Madison Chapter of Project Linus.

Thursday, September 07, 2006

Meet Author Jennifer Chiaverini

I’m delighted that New York Times Best-selling author Jennifer Chiaverini will be part of this year’s Quilt Expo.

An accomplished woman, Jennifer is the author of the Elm Creek Quilts novels. She also is the author of two quilt pattern books inspired by her novels and the designer of the Elm Creek Quilts fabric line from Red Rooster Fabrics.

Jennifer will be giving a lecture at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 16 where she’ll share some visual imagery and humor from her new novel “Circle of Quilters.” Attendees will enjoy hearing passages from the novel, seeing the quilts it inspired and participating in an informal question and answer session.

If you’d like to register for Jennifer’s lecture, visit wiquiltexpo.com or phone (877) 496-8060.

Quilt Expo attendees also may meet Jennifer from 1:15 to 2:15 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 16 during a book signing at the main stage on the vendor floor.

Tuesday, August 29, 2006

A Few Volunteers Still Needed

Many volunteers are necessary to present the Quilt Expo event. There are still a few volunteer positions open. If you enjoy quilts and working with people, I encourage you to offer your services for a three- to-four-hour shift.

Volunteers receive admission and parking for the day of their shift.

Docents are still needed for the quilt contest exhibit. Volunteering as an exhibit docent is a great job for anyone who likes talking quilts. Docents host visitors to the exhibit, answering questions and ensuring the quilts’ security. Quilt handling experience is helpful, but is not required.

Also a few volunteers are needed to help lecturers with their presentations on the afternoon of Sat. Sept. 16. Lecture assistants take tickets from attendees, raise and lower lights, and sometimes introduce lecturers.

If you’d like to volunteer for a shift, please contact Wisconsin Public Television Volunteer Manager Emma Starzewski at (608) 265-4436 or sign up online at wpt.org/development/quiltexpo/

Wednesday, August 23, 2006

Outstanding Educational Opportunities

Eleanor Burns giving a lecture at the 2005 Quilt Expo

This year’s Quilt Expo has numerous ways for quilters to expand their quilting knowledge and to refine their technical skills.

One-hour lectures are the perfect opportunity to pick up new techniques from top quilting educators. I’ll be teaming up with my colleague Natalie Sewell to give a daily lecture on landscape art quilting. Some of the other lecturers you’ll recognize from their quilting programs on PBS are Kaye Wood, Sharlene Jorgenson, Eleanor Burns and Sue Hausmann. There also are many other quilting experts from across the country who will be sharing their expertise.

A Sit & Sew Workshop at 2005 Quilt Expo

Also, I encourage you to consider spending a few hours in a Sit & Sew Workshop. These hands-on classes are a chance to learn, practice and master a new technique while creating an exclusive Quilt Expo project.

For a schedule of lectures and workshops, visit wiquiltexpo.com on the Web. Lectures are $10 each and workshops are $30 each plus kit/pattern fee.

Seating is limited. So register soon at wiquiltexpo.com or by calling (877) 496-8060.

Wednesday, August 16, 2006

Quilts, Quilts and More Quilts

Attendees viewing the Mary Anhaltzer quilt exhibit at 2005 Quilt Expo

Quilt Expo is your opportunity to see what quilters around the country are doing and to draw inspiration from viewing work.

This year, more than 250 quilts were accepted in the juried and judged Quilt Expo quilt contest. All entries including Best in Show and winners in each of the 10 categories will be exhibited. Several exceptional quilt collections on loan from groups throughout the Midwest also will be on exhibit.

The Professional Art Quilters Alliance “Water Challenge” exhibit offers a collection of quilts all using water as the inspiration for their work.

“The Colors of Wisconsin” quilts collection provided by The Mad City Quilters, showcases the range of their guild members, from traditional hand-pieced patterns, to fused contemporary art pieces.

Also enjoy a special exhibit from Patch of Lakeshore Quilters, an active guild whose members live along the Lake Michigan shore area. The guild promotes quilting for stitchers of all levels and provides workshops and lectures by nationally known teachers and authors. The guild’s fifth bi-annual quilt show is scheduled for spring of 2007.

View an exhibit from The Wisconsin Quilt History Project Inc., a nonprofit organization led by a board of directors who have been drawn from volunteers across the state. The group was formed in 1988 to record quilt making in Wisconsin from 1800 to 1950. The project is dedicated to studying the artistic, cultural, and social importance of quilting and encouraging the proper care and preservation of quilts.

A special exhibit this year from a series titled “Everyday Use” showcases the watercolors of Wisconsin artist Helen Klebesadel. The title of the exhibition is derived from a short story by Alice Walker that explores how the artistic production of women, quilts in particular, came to represent our most precious values and life choices.

Thursday, August 10, 2006

Stop to Chat

Quilt Expo is the time to come together with family and friends to learn, laugh and revitalize your creative spirit. It also is a time to meet others who share your love for quilting.

I look forward to getting together with old friends and making new acquaintances at this year’s event. I’ll be at the Wisconsin Public Television booth from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 14 and Friday, Sept. 15, and from 2 to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 16. Please stop by to chat.

I’d also like to remind you to register for the lectures and workshops taking place at the event. These educational offerings are your opportunity to gain inspiration while learning what’s new in quilting from the experts.

Thursday, August 03, 2006

A New Offering at This Year’s Quilt Expo

This year’s Quilt Expo has something brand new –– quilt appraisals performed by Carol Butzke. Certified by the American Quilter’s Society as an appraiser of quilted textiles, Butzke is a member of the Professional Association of Appraisers — Quilted Textiles. She also is a quilter, teacher, lecturer and quilt collector.

Carol will be giving limited oral and written appraisals by appointment only. Oral appraisals are $20 each and written appraisals are $35 each. There are only a few openings left. If you’d like to schedule an appraisal appointment, please call (877) 496-8060.

About Nancy Zieman

I am Nancy Zieman, host and producer of public television’s Sewing With Nancy series. In each program, I concentrate on giving viewers ideas and inspiration for the latest techniques in sewing, quilting and decorating. I also am a businesswoman, author, pattern designer and home economist.